Athletic Band

It is a great joy to welcome you to our UT Martin Athletic Bands home page!

Our program offers two regularly performing groups throughout the academic year: The Aviators (August – November) and The Basketball Band (October – March). Comprised of students of various majors from across the campus, each group prides itself on high-quality, energetic music and a fun-loving atmosphere in the stands. Both of these groups prove to be an integral part of home sporting events and are essential to the game day atmosphere developed throughout campus.

Beyond the home stands, the bands regularly engage our community through parades and other service oriented performances. It is not uncommon to see the one of the bands out performing at an area school promoting our fine university. Additionally, in February of 2017, the Basketball Band was the first every band to be invited to perform for Tennessee’s Day on the Hill in Nashville.

Click on the Information Tab to read more about each ensemble, our scholarship opportunities, and general questions regarding UT Martin Athletic Bands. From our musical family to yours, I thank you for visiting our page and hope that you will consider joining our team. If you have questions about auditioning for Athletic Bands, please contact Dr. Bill Waterman at wwaterma@utm.edu.

Musically yours,

Dr. Bill Waterman

Director of Athletic Bands

Click a heading below to expand/collapse information.

Groups

The Aviators is our newly named ensemble leading the new direction of UT Martin Fall Athletic Bands. Designed with a less intensive approach to competitive marching band (rehearsing once a week) the group regularly performs at home football games at Hardy Graham Stadium, local parades, and select exhibitions throughout the Fall Semester. Performing spots are available for piccolo, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, sousaphone, and battery percussion (snare, tenors, bass drum, cymbals). Scholarships are available to all registered performing members. The Aviators ensemble is open to musicians of all levels and anyone with prior experience will not be turned away.

The Skyhawk Basketball Band is a select group auditioned around mid-October during the fall semester. The band performs through March of the spring semester. Comprised of roughly thirty members, the band plays from a rotating selection of diverse and outstanding charts during home basketball games in the Kathleen and Tom Elam center. Skyhawk athletic teams belong to the OVC conference. Each spring the University sends the band to the OVC tournament and also travels with the team to any appearance earned in the NCAA tournament. Recent NCAA trips include Duke University in Chapel Hill, NC. and the United Center in Chicago. IL

Calendar

We use Google Calendar. Please click on the tab to the left “UTM Bands Calendar” to view upcoming performances for both Athletic Bands and Concert Ensembles.

Performances

The Aviators typically perform for all home football games, but NOT away games. Additionally, the band performs 2-3 local parades throughout the fall semester. On occasion, they will perform in exhibition at other regional contests or on other special music outings in the West Tennessee/Regional Area.

The Aviators also host an annual marching competition; The West Tennessee Marching Championships. In addition to working alongside directors and professionals, the band performs for a stadium full of fans

Basketball Band typically only performs at home games during the academic year and at the OVC Tournament. If the team qualifies we travel to the NCAA tournament as well.

How to Join

If you are interested in joining the Aviators please fill out our Interest Form .

Scholarships

The Aviators: A modest scholarship is available for all registered performing members of the ensemble. Members should register for the class and fulfill the class requirements in order to receive their scholarship.

Basketball Band: The ensemble is a scholarship based group. Auditions for the group are held in October. For more information see the How to Join section directly above

Colorguard & Percussion

Colorguard spots are available with the Aviators ensemble. Members are available to perform in parades and other select opportunities. Those with previous experience in colorguard will have an opportunity within the ensemble.

Need an Instrument

UT Martin has a select number of instruments for rent of which are available on a first come first serve basis for our members. Those in need of an instrument should plan on checking one out during their registration at Band Camp in the Fall.

Band Camp Move Ins

Students with on campus housing are able to move into their housing during band camp at no additional cost. Please click below for more information on how to set up early move ins

Classes/Courses

Athletic Bands and our Concert Ensembles run concurrently through the fall and spring semesters. Below outlines our course offerings for those interested in the Aviators ensemble and/or the Basketball Band.

MUS 391 Athletic Band: The Aviators! This class is open to all musicians with prior experience performing music. No audition required, but registration is mandatory.

Basketball Band: there is no course registration for this ensemble. However, students should prepare for an audition in mid-October to join this ensemble. See the information above in the How to Join section